ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Police Department received 239 applications to the department’s 50th police academy. Of those 239 applications, 38 are female. Those completing Class 50 of the Abilene Police Academy will provide service to the City of Abilene through 2030 and beyond.

Applications to the police academy became available in August and were accepted until Sept. 15. Background checks to all applicants will take place in October and the academy is scheduled to begin in mid to late January 2012. After completing a 26-week academy, applicants will then move into a 15-week field training program before becoming fully practicing police officers.

“We are excited that so many applicants expressed an interest in the Abilene Police Department,” said Chief of Police Stan Standridge. “The Department exists to serve those they protect, and it is encouraging that so many people want to join such an important mission. Our citizens will be well served by these men and women in the decades ahead.”